PEER Group's Equipment Information Bridge (EIB™) gives high-technology manufacturers unprecedented direct access to real-time data from manufacturing equipment. This secure access is available to multiple clients, from individual or multiple tools, and can be enjoyed via multiple standard communication protocols. The numerous capabilities of EIB technology are based on the utilization of powerful equipment data models that allow concurrent access to in-depth equipment information. These data models can be made of any equipment or system type, and allow end users to interface with the equipment easily and effectively. EIB's Model Builder is used to quickly construct XML-driven models, providing appropriate schema validation, the ability to designate functional trees, and allowing EIB to present tool data in an object oriented fashion.

Interface A & EDA

EIB is also fully Interface A / EDA compliant, and PEER Group's comprehensive involvement in current and new SEMI standards development ensures ongoing product compliance.

EIB is flexible and adapts to existing automation solutions without negatively impacting performance, including wafer fab as well as assembly, packing and test (TAP). EIB technology can be used on-tool (integrated OEM) or off-tool (adaptive) depending on the user's needs, and can be employed with traditional station controllers, non-SECS equipment, or in any situation where direct access to real-time information is critical but time consuming or challenging to collect. In addition, the software enables the efficient and cost-effective realization of advanced manufacturing application capabilities such as e-Diagnostics, SPC, APC, Fault Detection and Run-to-Run (R2R) Control. With EIB, multiple non-proprietary communication protocols are supported, and customized protocols are allowed, providing flexible integration, lower cost and risk-free implementations.

Multi-client, Multi-tool, Multi-Protocol Data Access

• Provides Data on Demand by allowing simultaneous equipment connections by manufacturing applications.
• Supports multiple, mainstream communication protocols for client connection, including COM/DCOM, RMI, XML/SOAP.
• Flexible equipment control system integration including SECS/GEM, GPIB, Sensor Bus.
• Seamless integration with existing, legacy systems.
• Compliant with established SEMI standards, including E4/5 (SECS), E30 (GEM) and E37 (HSMS).
• Compliant with Interface A and the new SEMI standards E120 (Common Equipment Model), E121 (XML), and E125 (Equipment Self Description).
• Full development environment for faster time to market, low cost of ownership and low risk.
• Utilizes .NET technology.
• Can handle EDA and control requirements for any APC application: R2R Control and Fault Detection